Big thanks to Physio Barb Bialokoz for seeing Taylor and suggesting a counter intuitive, but huge improvement. Taylor stopped rowing because of a back problem which has flared up again. As his coach, I left his position, a conservative, not too low one, as set up by the reputable bike shop where he bought his bike. But when Barb looked at him (generously on her own time because her 10 hr days were booked), she noticed that a conservative position actually arched his back more. She suggested a longer lower position would help. So Taylor borrowed my bike, which was a good 5 cm (!) longer for a couple of rides, and indeed had a big improvement. Who would have thought the solution to a sore back was to go lower and longer? A physio.
Anyway the good news story doesn't end there. Taylor now had a race in less than 24 hours and a too small bike. A 14 cm stem wasn't enough (up from 11). Lightbulb! Physio (there they are again) Steve had given me a cracked frame a couple months ago which turns could be successfully welded. It was 2 cm longer than his and when built up by him and his dad Saturday night, worked out fine... to win on Sunday! During its first ride.
Also thanks for cranks from Dave Spiers, stem Geoff Wong, brakes from Bryson, and fr derailleur from someone else I forgot to write down. Combined with a leadout train and multiple attacks to soften up the race, a true Tripleshot club win. Thanks all.
